US5761291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of assigning telephone area codes
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
•
Filing: 1994-06-22
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Granted: 1998-06-02
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Expires: 2014-06-22
Abstract
Abstract The processing of a telephone call identified in part by an area code associated with a particular geographical area results in forwarding the call to telephone equipment located in the geographical area. Such processing is enhanced by associating a unique area code with an entity other than a geographical region or telephone service and then forwarding a telephone call identified in part by the unique area code to telephone equipment associated with the entity even though that equipment may be located in a geographical area associated with a different area code.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary R. Dalton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13091; H04Q2213/13095; H04Q2213/13097; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of assigning telephone area codes comprising the steps of associating area codes with respective geographical regions as a way of identifying telephone station sets disposed wiin respective ones of said regions and connected to an associated telephone network, and associating at least one unique, unassigned area code with an entity other than a geographical region in which said unique area code is other than a prefix code assigned to a telephone service, and wherein a long distance telephone call forwarded to said entity and terminated thereat is identified by said unique area code and a local telephone number.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of assigning telephone area codes comprising the steps of associating area codes with respective geographical regions as a way of identifying telephone station sets disposed wiin respective ones of said regions and connected to an associated telephone network, and associating at least one unique, unassigned area code with an entity other than a geographical region in which said unique area code is other than a prefix code assigned to a telephone service, and wherein a long distance telephone call forwarded to said entity and terminated thereat is identified by said unique area code and a local telephone number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said entity is an individual.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said entity is a business.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said entity is an adjunct disposed in said telephone network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said local telephone number is a telephone number assigned to a telephone station set originating said telephone call.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of assigning telephone area codes comprising the steps of assigning telephone area codes to respective geographical areas as a way of identifying uniquely telephone station sets disposed in respective ones of said areas, associating different groups of telephone services with respective service prefix codes, and assigning a unique, unassigned area code to an entity other than a geographical area such that long distance telephone calls identified by the unique area code and respective local telephone numbers are forwarded via respective telephone network connections terminating at said entity.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of assigning telephone area codes comprising the steps of assigning telephone area codes to respective geographical areas as a way of identifying uniquely telephone station sets disposed in respective ones of said areas, associating different groups of telephone services with respective service prefix codes, and assigning a unique, unassigned area code to an entity other than a geographical area such that long distance telephone calls identified by the unique area code and respective local telephone numbers are forwarded via respective telephone network connections terminating at said entity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said entity is an individual.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said entity is a business.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said entity is telephone equipment associated with said network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method set forth in claim 6 wherein one of said local telephone numbers is a telephone number associated with a telephone station set originating one of said telephone calls.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of processing a telephone call comprising the steps of routing a telephone call identified in part by an area code assigned to a particular geographical region to particular telephone equipment disposed in said geoographical region, and routing and terminating a long distance telephone call identified in part by a unique area code exclusively assigned to an entity other than a geographical region and in part by an arbitrary local telephone number at telephone equipment associated with said entity, in which said unique area code assigned to said entity is a code other than a service prefix code associated with a respective telephone service.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of processing a telephone call comprising the steps of routing a telephone call identified in part by an area code assigned to a particular geographical region to particular telephone equipment disposed in said geoographical region, and routing and terminating a long distance telephone call identified in part by a unique area code exclusively assigned to an entity other than a geographical region and in part by an arbitrary local telephone number at telephone equipment associated with said entity, in which said unique area code assigned to said entity is a code other than a service prefix code associated with a respective telephone service.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-01 | 2001-12-01 | 2002-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | 2006-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-01 | 2009-12-01 | 2010-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |